UK home-buying guides
Detailed, practical guidance on SDLT, LBTT, LTT, legal fees and completion planning. Built for real UK buying decisions, not generic checklists.
Tax and thresholds
Use these first if your main question is SDLT, LBTT, LTT or first-time-buyer treatment.
Fees and execution
Use these for solicitor, survey, mortgage and completion-stage workflow planning.
Decision quality
Cross-check each guide with calculator scenarios so you can set an offer ceiling with confidence.
What Is Stamp Duty? UK Rates & Bands 0%–12% (2026/27)
A clear UK guide to SDLT, LBTT and LTT, including how tax slices work and why headline rates can mislead buyers.
Updated: 2026-02-17
When Do You Pay Stamp Duty? 14 Days After Completion (2026/27)
Stamp duty is due within 14 days of completion in England and Northern Ireland (30 days for LBTT in Scotland and LTT in Wales). Late filing triggers automatic penalties starting at £100. Your solicitor handles the SDLT return and collects payment at completion. Learn the timeline, what happens if there are delays, and how to check it was filed correctly.
Updated: 2026-02-17
First-Time Buyer Stamp Duty Relief Explained (2026/27)
Eligibility, thresholds and practical checks for first-time buyer relief in England and Northern Ireland.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Second-Home Stamp Duty Surcharge
How additional-property tax treatment works, when it applies, and what it does to all-in purchase costs.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Replacing Your Main Residence and Refunds
Rules and timelines for main-residence replacement and surcharge refund routes, explained in practical terms.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Conveyancing Fees UK 2026: Typical Cost £1,200–£2,500 All-In
How much does conveyancing cost in the UK? Typical residential conveyancing fees are £1,200–£2,500 all-in (solicitor fee £800–£1,800 + disbursements). Leasehold or complex title £3,000+. See what to budget before exchange.
Updated: 2026-09-12
House Survey Costs Explained
House survey costs UK 2026/27: a RICS Level 2 HomeBuyer Report is £400–£800 and a Level 3 Building Survey £600–£1,500. Compare survey levels, what each covers and when you need a full building survey.
Updated: 2026-09-12
Mortgage Fees Explained (2026/27)
Product fees, valuation costs and arrangement choices that can change true borrowing cost at completion.
Updated: 2026-02-17
How Much Cash Do I Need to Buy?
A practical framework for estimating total upfront cash needed: deposit, tax, legal fees, surveys and contingency.
Updated: 2026-02-17
LTT Wales Explained
Welsh LTT rates and higher-rate treatment explained for owner-occupiers, movers and additional-property buyers.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Buying a Home Checklist 2026: Costs to Budget Before You Buy
A step-by-step checklist for budgeting, evidence gathering and completion readiness across UK purchase journeys.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Shared Ownership Stamp Duty Basics
How shared ownership can affect stamp duty treatment and what to check before relying on initial estimates.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Non-UK Resident SDLT Surcharge 2026/27 | 2% Rate
Non-UK residents buying residential property in England pay an extra 2% SDLT surcharge on top of standard rates. See exactly how much extra you pay and when the surcharge applies.
Updated: 2026-04-19
New-Build Buying Costs in the UK
A dedicated guide to budgeting new-build purchases, including reservation timing, extras and completion risk points.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Downsizing and Moving Costs in the UK
Practical advice for downsizers comparing sale proceeds, purchase tax and transaction costs before committing.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Bridging Finance and Completion Costs
Understand where bridging finance can increase purchase costs and how to stress-test completion budgets safely.
Updated: 2026-02-17
How Stamp Duty Works at £300,000
Stamp duty on £300,000 in 2026/27: home mover pays £5,000 SDLT · first-time buyer pays £0 (below £500k threshold). Full breakdown by buyer type and region with all-in buying costs.
Updated: 2026-09-12
How Stamp Duty Works at £500,000
A practical UK guide to tax and all-in costs around the £500,000 level, including buyer-type sensitivity.
Updated: 2026-09-12
How Stamp Duty Works at £250,000
A practical guide to stamp duty and all-in completion costs around a £250,000 purchase.
Updated: 2026-09-12
How Stamp Duty Works at £750,000
A high-value threshold guide for £750,000 purchases across SDLT, LBTT and LTT scenarios.
Updated: 2026-09-12
Second-Home Tax on £500,000 (UK Guide)
How additional-property treatment can affect £500,000 purchases and all-in completion costs.
Updated: 2026-02-17
Moving-Home Costs on £400,000 (UK Guide)
A practical £400,000 moving-home guide covering tax, fees and scenario checks before exchange.
Updated: 2026-02-17
First-Time Buyer on £350,000 (UK Guide)
A focused first-time buyer guide for £350,000 offers, with threshold-aware scenario planning.
Updated: 2026-02-17
How Stamp Duty Works at £200,000
A practical guide to stamp duty on a £200,000 purchase across SDLT, LBTT and LTT — covering first-time buyer relief, second home surcharge and total completion cash.
Updated: 2026-09-12
How Stamp Duty Works at £400,000
How much stamp duty on a £400,000 house in 2026/27? Home mover pays £10,000 · first-time buyer pays £5,000 (saving £5,000 vs home mover) · second home buyer pays £30,000. See the full band breakdown for SDLT, LBTT and LTT.
Updated: 2026-09-12
How Stamp Duty Works at £450,000
A guide to stamp duty on a £450,000 purchase: first-time buyers pay a reduced rate on this amount, but the relief is tapered. See SDLT, LBTT and LTT scenarios.
Updated: 2026-09-12
How Stamp Duty Works at £600,000
How much stamp duty on a £600,000 house in 2026/27? Home mover pays £20,000 · no first-time buyer relief above £500,000 · second home buyer pays £50,000 (5% surcharge on full price). See full SDLT, LBTT and LTT breakdown.
Updated: 2026-09-12
How Stamp Duty Works at £325,000
How much stamp duty on a £325,000 house in 2026/27? Home mover pays £6,250 SDLT · first-time buyer pays £1,250 (saving £5,000) · second home buyer pays £22,500 (5% surcharge on full price). See full band breakdown for SDLT, LBTT and LTT.
Updated: 2026-09-12
How Stamp Duty Works at £375,000
How much stamp duty on a £375,000 house in 2026/27? Home mover pays £8,750 SDLT · first-time buyer pays £3,750 (saving £5,000) · second home buyer pays £27,500. See full band breakdown for SDLT, LBTT and LTT.
Updated: 2026-09-12
How Stamp Duty Works at £475,000
Check stamp duty on a £475,000 house in 2026/27. Standard home mover SDLT is £13,750, first-time buyer SDLT is £8,750 and second-home tax is £37,500.
Updated: 2026-09-12
How Stamp Duty Works at £550,000
How much stamp duty on a £550,000 house in 2026/27? Home mover pays £17,500 SDLT · no first-time buyer relief above £500,000 · second home buyer pays £45,000 (5% surcharge on full price). See full SDLT, LBTT and LTT breakdown.
Updated: 2026-09-12
How Stamp Duty Works at £650,000
How much stamp duty on a £650,000 house in 2026/27? Home mover pays £22,500 SDLT · no first-time buyer relief above £500,000 · second home buyer pays £55,000 (5% surcharge on full price). See full SDLT, LBTT and LTT breakdown.
Updated: 2026-09-12
How Stamp Duty Works at £700,000
How much stamp duty on a £700,000 house in 2026/27? Home mover pays £25,000 SDLT · no first-time buyer relief above £500,000 · second home buyer pays £60,000 (5% surcharge on full price). See full SDLT, LBTT and LTT breakdown.
Updated: 2026-09-12
How Much Deposit Do I Need UK 2026/27? | Min 5%
The minimum deposit to buy a house in the UK is 5% (95% LTV), but most buyers benefit from saving more. This guide covers LTV tiers, monthly saving impact, Help to Buy ISA and Lifetime ISA bonuses, and realistic saving timelines at average UK prices.
Updated: 2026-05-26
Buying a Leasehold Property — Extra Costs to Know
Leasehold purchases involve service charges, ground rent, potential lease extension costs and management company enquiries that freehold buyers do not face. This guide explains the extra due diligence and what it costs.
Updated: 2026-05-26
How to Claim a Stamp Duty Refund (2026/27)
When you can reclaim overpaid stamp duty in the UK: the higher-rate surcharge refund, missed first-time buyer relief, deadlines, and how to claim from HMRC.
Updated: 2026-08-01
The Hidden Costs of Buying a House in 2026 (The Ones People Forget)
The costs beyond deposit and stamp duty that catch UK buyers out in 2026: conveyancing disbursements, searches, surveys, mortgage fees, Land Registry, buildings insurance, removals, leasehold and new-build extras, with a realistic total on a £300,000 purchase.
Updated: 2026-08-18